Human Toxicity of Nanoinsecticides

Insecticides are chemicals designed to kill insects and other pests that threaten the environment, agriculture, livelihoods, and human health. Their strategic use in integrated vector management, especially within various national health programs, has underscored the critical importance of protecting human health. The rising demand for effective insecticides to fight against diseases has prompted leading industries to introduce innovative and advanced, technology-driven solutions. However, while these insecticides are effective against target organisms, improper dosages can lead to toxicity, impacting the environment’s living and non-living aspects. With an emerging trend of nanotechnology, with particles as small as 1–100 nanometers (on the 10−9 scale), there has been a growing advent toward using nanoinsecticides. These nanoinsecticides have been developed to reduce the environmental toxicity associated with traditional pesticides, and generally exhibit lower toxicity levels compared to synthetic pesticides. The global population’s rapid growth and changing demographic patterns have highlighted the need for sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on “Good Health and Well-being” with the goal emphasizing the importance of reducing deaths and illnesses caused due to exposure of chemicals by 2030. Despite the potential benefits of nanoinsecticides, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2010 that these substances still carry toxicity risks. Therefore, more research and development efforts are necessary to fully understand and mitigate the health risks associated with nanoinsecticides. This chapter will give insights into the harmful toxicity of nanoinsecticides and their implications for human health.